Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,30
get to me. Through our daughters.”
Al would have done nearly anything for Brittany and Gabriella, too. Woe the person who meddled with his girls. But then, Winnie would never have fought him for it. It wouldn’t ever have been their mother he needed to protect them from.
Charlie’s dynamics were different. Very different. It was going to be hard enough to navigate their disparities for planning their kids’ wedding. But add in the growing attraction between them? That added landmines all its own.
Not for the first time, she wondered about the wisdom of allowing herself to indulge in a fantasy or two about her son’s fiancée’s father. They should have waited until after the wedding to see where things might go between them. Kept their focus on Dom and Katri and not muddied the situation with their own desires.
Because keeping a clear head through the next six months was going to be a challenge. One she hoped she was up for.
Charlie tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. escorted her back to the Skate Ribbon, and matched his stride to hers.
He’d be worth the potential pitfalls. He was trying to do what was best for everyone. And that thoughtfulness was something that Winnie could fall for a little bit more.
Chapter Twelve
The line to the coffee truck’s side window hadn’t slowed all afternoon. Maybe Charlie could justify hiring a helper, after all. Not now, two weeks before Christmas, but before the summer rush began.
“No cookies or muffins or anything?” A harried young mom pleaded. “Not that I don’t need a macchiato. I do. But my shopping day is done if these two don’t get something to eat.” She jiggled a stroller with two crying toddlers.
“I’m sorry, no.” Charlie looked out at the half dozen people still standing in line. He lowered his voice. “I do have one muffin if you think splitting it between them would help.” Not that he wanted to give up the last pumpkin cranberry muffin of the half dozen Winnie had sent him home with last night.
“How much? I don’t see it on the menu.”
“Free. It’s from my personal stash.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
Toddler one arched his back and screamed.
Charlie winced. “Sure, you can.” He dug under the counter and came out with the resealable bag then handed it over. “I’ll fix your macchiato right now.”
“Thanks, mister.” She broke the muffin in half and bent to offer it.
He didn’t even want to see if one of the tots threw it in the snow in anger. He’d been looking forward to that tasty morsel himself. Charlie fixed the specialty drink and handed it over the counter to a less anxious young woman with somewhat quieter children.
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“You’re welcome. Have a great day.” He processed her payment, wishing he could give it to her for free, but that wasn’t a business model that would keep him afloat. There must be options, though. Didn’t some coffee shops offer hanging drinks? It was a weird term, but meant that folks could buy an extra for someone in need, who could ask if there were any hanging drinks available. It might work in Spokane. He’d look into it more.
The woman pushed the stroller away, struggling with the mid-size tires in the snow, but at least she and her children were in a slightly better place than five minutes ago.
A middle-aged couple stepped up to the truck’s counter. “Sounds like you need to pair with a bakery!” the woman said.
“There’s an idea,” Charlie agreed, looking between them. Wait, wasn’t that...?
“Charlie!” The man reached through the opening to shake his hand. “Franco Santoro — Dominic’s uncle — and my wife, Genevera. Gen, sweetie, this is Charlie, Dom’s fiancée’s father.”
“Pleased to meet you, Genevera.” Apparently, news of his date with Winnie last night had yet to hit the Santoro grapevine, or the introduction would surely have been a little different. “Your nephew seems a fine young man.”
“He is.” Gen beamed. “And soon to be a medical doctor, but I guess you know that.”
“I do. My daughter is a nurse. They met working in the hospital.”
Franco’s eyes twinkled. “And I hear you’ve been spending a bit of time with our Winnie.”
Genevera’s eyebrows rose as she looked between the men. “Am I missing something?”
Franco grinned at Charlie. “I don’t know. Is she?”
Charlie shook his head, but he couldn’t help laughing. “I’m not sure. Winnie and I did come skating over at the Ribbon last night. Seems if we’re going to be seeing a lot of each